Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1887-04-12
MISCELLANEOUS.
Farmer Green's Lodgers:


Farmer Green had just finished
milking his COWS when handsome
top-buggy drew up to. the door.
Setting down the milk pals in the
barn-door, the farmer fastened to
greet the rather clerical looking per-
son who sat in the carriage.
"How de dew" said the farmer,
with respectful bow.
"Good-evening,'' retorted the
stranger in slow, measured tone. "I
would like to ask how far it is to
Shirley?"
Nigh on tew thirty mile," an
swered the farmer.
$50 far? 1 must reach there by
to-morrow-night, in order to fill my
engagement there on the Sabbath, +"
care yew minister" asked
Farmer Green.
Eyes, 1 am one Of the Lords SER
wants. 1 have an appointment in
Shirley for the next Lords Day. But
can go little further tonight. Do
you know of a place where 1 can rest
to-night?"
"It's four miles tew the next house,
an the folks there. are mighty on
religious. If you could put up with
our accommodations, yew might stop
heer"
f" May the Lord abundantly reward
you for your kindness. will CRATE
fully accept your Offer
"Drive rite round heer, an we'll
put the hoss in the barn. Meeriah, !"
he called to his daughter, who was
slyly peering out of window, "tell
your marin we've got company tew
supp -
!" Meeriah" disappeared to execute
this order, and the farmer, followed
by the stranger, walked round to the
barn door.
"Seems tew me yew've got er all
fired slick piece of horse-fesh heer,"
remarked the farmer, as they removed
the little chestnut horse from the thills.
f" Yes, bless the Lord, he is good
little horse," replied the stranger.
"Pritty well winded though. You
must have druv ALFRED hard.''
"Only the last mile or two,' said
the stranger, hastily. He is good
horse, but his wind is poor"
After they had taken care of the
horse, the stranger carefully drew his
wagon behind the farmers wood-pile,
where it could not be seen from the
road. Then he followed the farmer
into the house.
The farmers wife had prepared a
tempting supper, and the strangers 8
eyes glowed as he observed the table.
"This is Elder Goodman, marin, Z"
said the farmer, introducing the stran-
ger by the name he had given.
+" He is goin' over ter Shirley ter
fill All app'intment fer Sunday"
After the stranger had bowed to the
farmers wife and daughter, he asked
for place to wash away the dust
stains of travel.
A few moments later they sat down
to the supper-table in Farmer Green's 8
large, old-fashioned kitchen.
In solemn tones the stranger asked
the Lord to bless the food before
them, to bless the kind farmer, and
his wife and daughter.
During the entire meal, Elder
Goodman talked of the goodness of
the Lord. The farmers family lis
tened in respectful silence, save when
they occasionally attested to the truth
of the strangers words.
That evening the stranger read sew
eraI passages from the bible, and ex-
planned them in a fluent manner
He uttered a short prayer, and said
he wished to retire early. as he de-
sired to rise at an early hour, and
start on his journey.
" Yew needn't be in hurry bout
startin' early said the farmer
"I'll bet squash that eer little horse
won't be long in kiverin' thirty mile. I"
(" But I wish to travel in the cooler
part of the day." explained his guest.
Elder Goodman was just bidding
the family goodnight when a horse
man drew up at the door. The farmer
fastened out to learn who his new
conner was and what he wanted.
One of the kitchen windows was
open, and through this came the
voices of the farmer and the horse
man in conversation. Elder Good
man listened intently for moment,
then bidding the farmers wife and
daughter goodnight, took the candle
that was offered him and retired.
A short time later the farmer en-
tered the room. followed by rough.
looking stranger.
Heers er nuther man that wants
to stop all mite, - said Farmer Green.
you'll hey tew git i'm sum supper,
marm.'
The farmers wife did not like the
appearance of the new conner, and II
was with i'll grace that she prepared
to obey her husbands command.
While she was placing the food
upon tffe table; the farmer tried t.
draw the stranger out. in conyersa